IMBA Canada Annual Report

Shanine Hermsen cruising the trails in Kamloops, BC. Photo by Dan Barham.

In 2009, IMBA’s Canadian office completed its fifth year of operations,

and there’s much to celebrate. It was a record year for financial growth:

our national movement saw a 81 percent increase revenue over 2008.*

This success can be attributed largely to an influx of new corporate sponsor-

ship, and the addition of a full-time trail specialist staff position which allowed

us to take our trail consulting program to a new level. IMBA Canada now

reaches 9 provinces and conducts more than 20 IMBA trailbuilding workshops

from coast to coast.

Despite the struggling economy, the support of IMBA Canada’s individual mem-

bers remained steady, demonstrating that mountain biking is more than just a

trend — it’s a lifestyle that our members are committed to preserving. Together,

IMBA Canada and its affiliated clubs create a strong voice for mountain biking.

We shape public policy and build remarkable trails across our vast country.

I believe that 2010 is going to be an important year for capacity building.

IMBA Canada is adding much-needed business systems and technologies that

will benefit our clubs, members and partners. We will expand our grassroots

support by growing our regional office program, developing the Canadian

Regional Leadership Advisory Council program and working by putting a full-

time Canadian Trail Care Crew on the road.

It’s interesting to note that IMBA Canada is now in exactly the same position as

the US office was at this stage in its development. We are about to launch into

a significantly new phase of growth — taking the grassroots start-up organiza-

tion to a higher level of professionalism. Our national partnerships are lever-

aging IMBA Canada’s capacity in every way. Inevitably, there will be growing

pains and a daunting amount of work to be done, but the end result will be a

more solid foundation for the next five years of IMBA Canada.

I thank you all, very sincerely, for your support.

Lora Woolner, Executive Director

*Financial data for 2009 has yet to be independently audited as of press time.

PARTNERSHIP WITH MEC BENEFITS REGIONAL PROGRAMS

IMBA Canada is excited to an-nounce a national

partnership agreement with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for 2010. The Vancouver-based outdoor gear and cloth-ing retailer has made a generous contribu-tion towards IMBA Canada’s regional of-fice program. Funding will enhance existing offices in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, as well as expand the program to other provinces. Our goal is to have four regional offices up and running in this year, adding a staff position in Alberta for 2010, and eventually expanding to six regional offices by 2012. The Maritimes and Central Canada are next on the list for new offices.

THANK YOU ONTARIO!

Thank you to the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion whose funding sup-

ported the creation of two new resources in 2009: The Ontario Mobile Tool Trailer Pro-gram, and the IMBA Canada Take a Kid Mountain Biking Program. IMBA Canada relies heavily on grant funding to leverage our resources into tangible benefits for our members.

1 WORLD, 2 WHEELS

Thanks to Trek’s 1 World, 2 Wheels program, IMBA Canada was able to build its capacity for trailbuilding and conduct several free workshops for our affiliated groups. Visit 1world2wheels.org to learn

more about Trek’s commitment to bicycle advocacy.

TRAILS BENEFIT FROM NATIONAL FUNDS

The National Trails Coalition received a $25 million dollar in-vestment from the

Government of Canada in Budget 2009. Canada’s Economic Action Plan has injected thousands of dollars into nationally impor-tant trail systems. IMBA Canada received funding in partnership with the Canmore Nordic Centre to improve the trail system in this iconic Alberta park.

LETTER FROM LORA

IMBA CANADA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

REFLECTS ON IMBA CANADA’S FIFTH YEAR

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Axis Gear Company Ltd.BC Bike RaceBike RosslandBruce CountyBugaboos EyewearCamp FortuneCanmore Nordic Centre Provincial ParkCapilano University: Mountain Bike Operations ProgramChico RacingChicopee Ski And Summer ResortCobequid Trail ConsultantsConservation Halton: Kelso/Hilton Falls/MountsbergCreative Wheel/La Rocca XC MTB SchoolCycle Component Network Inc.Decarto Consulting LtdDevinci CyclesDirt SeriesEskakwa Eco-Adventure CompanyGeomatics Data Management IncHardwood Ski And BikeHoots B.A.Inter-Mtn Enterprises IncLoeka Clothing

National Tennis SchoolNorco Products LtdNorthern Mountain Bike AdventuresOutdoor Gear CanadaPanorama Mountain VillageRenegade Cycle SolutionsRyeka SportSacred RidesSentiers Boréals IncShimano CanadaSingle Track Mind CyclesSir Sam’s ResortSpecialized CanadaSustainable TrailsThule CanadaTownship Of KingTransrockies Inc.Trek CanadaTwenty4 Sports Valhalla Trails Ltd.Whistler Mountain Bike ParkZeptechniques Mountain Bike Coaching & Instructor Training

For information about how you or your organization can join in support of IMBA Canada’s mission, please contact IMBA

Canada’s executive director Lora Woolner by calling 519-208-2820, or by sending a message to [email protected].

HEARTY THANKS

TO OUR GENEROUS CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

TOTAL INCOME FOR 2009: $349,883 CAD

Individual donations $17,668 Individual membership $37,140

Totalindividual $54,808

Corporate membership $19,650 Corporate sponsorship $45,477

Totalcorporate $65,127 Grants $105,567Trailconsulting $81,903Products $25,958Membership(club,retailerandpatrol) $9877Other: $3895 (registrations) + $2746 (freight/shipping) $6641

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TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 2009: $341,393 CAD

Programs: $222,616 (65.2%)Fundraising: $82,827 (24.3%)Administrative: $35,950 (10.53%)

OVERALL GROWTH OF IMBA CANADA

2006:$155,0002007: $158,0002008:$209,0002009: $341,393 (63% growth over 2008)

$400,000

$350,000

$300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

‘06 ‘07 ’08 ‘093

total expenditure

Taught 20 IMBA trailbuilding workshops in 9 provinces, educating more

than 500 people on sustainable trailbuilding practices nationwide.

Expanded IMBA Canada’s regional offices. We currently have part-time

regional staff in BC, Ontario and Quebec, with plans to add more in

2010.

Secured new benefits for IMBA Canada members, such as the Canadian

Subaru VIP Program, and the addition of individual insurance benefits to

the existing IMBA Canada insurance program.

Hired a full-time Trails Specialist, allowing significant growth in our on-the-

ground efforts.

Hosted the first-ever IMBA Canada Provincial Mountain Bike Summit in

Kitchener, Ontario.

Secured Federal Infrastructure Funding for trail expansion at the Canmore

Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta. IMBA Canada clubs in BC, Ontario

and Quebec also received federal money to expand their trails locally.

Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Capital

Commission in Ottawa, enabling further collaboration with regards to

trails planning, rehabilitation, management and use in Gatineau Park.

Created Canadian publications, like the Take a Kid Mountain Biking

Guide and the ADSVMQ’s Guide d’aménagement de sentier de vélo de

montagne.

Launched the Ontario Tool Trailer program with funding from the Ontario

Ministry of Health Promotion, resulting in more trails on the ground and

free tools for use by IMBA clubs.

Provided assistance that has carved the way for new bike parks in urban

areas.

10 THINGS IMBA CANADA

DID FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING IN 2009

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On the Road in 2010

IMBA CANADA ANNOUNCES CANADIAN TRAIL CARE CREW PROGRAM

New for 2010, IMBA’s Canadian office is excited to welcome Chad and Deanne Lazaruk as the first ever IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew! With over a decade of mountain biking and trails experience, the couple brings a broad set of skills to IMBA Canada’s newest program.

The Lazaruks will travel across the country in a specially outfitted Subaru Outback, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers and working with IMBA-af-filiated clubs and other partners to improve trail opportunities Canada-wide. The 2010 building season will kick-off Canada Day weekend and will run until mid-December.

Coordinating the Canadian Trail Care Crew program is Rachael Raven, IMBA Canada’s communications coordinator.

Foradditionalinformationontheprogram,includingthe2010schedule,contactRachaelatRachael.raven@imba.com.CheckbacksoonforeventdetailsandthelaunchingofanewIMBACanadaTrailCareCrewwebpage.